Mammillaria geminispina ‘Cristata’ is a crested form of the Mexican species Mammillaria geminispina, which occurs naturally in the central highlands of Hidalgo, Querétaro, and San Luis Potosí. The typical species inhabits rocky limestone slopes within arid scrub, but this unusual form is maintained only through cultivation.
Instead of producing rounded stems, the crested growth develops flattened, fan-shaped ridges that twist and fold irregularly. The surface is covered in spiralling tubercles, each bearing dense white radial spines with pairs of darker central spines, giving the plant a textured, contoured appearance that differs greatly from the normal clustering habit.
When mature, it may produce small pink to reddish-purple flowers along the edges of the crest, generally during spring or summer. These are followed by slender red fruits containing black seeds, though seed-grown plants usually revert to the standard form rather than the cristate shape.
Care Tips:
Light: Provide bright light with several hours of gentle direct sun daily; protect the crest from harsh midday exposure.
Water: Water lightly during the active growing season, letting the mix dry completely before rewatering. Keep dry in winter.
Media: Use a mineral-based, fast-draining cactus mix with added pumice or grit.
Fertiliser: Apply a diluted, low-nitrogen cactus fertiliser once a month in spring and summer.
Temperature: Prefers 18–30 °C. Tolerates down to about 5 °C if kept dry, but prolonged cold may damage crested tissue.
Repotting: Repot carefully every few years as the crest expands. Support fragile ridges to prevent breakage when handling.
Shipping Schedule and Biosecurity Information
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Dispatch & Shipping Information
Non-Biosecurity States (QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC, SA): We now offer two dispatches per week for these regions:
Tuesday Dispatch: Orders placed by Sunday 11:59 PM AEST.
Friday Dispatch: Orders placed by Wednesday 11:59 PM AEST. Orders placed after these cut-offs will be dispatched on the next available day.
Biosecurity States (WA, NT, TAS): These orders require mandatory biosecurity treatment (PHC) and follow a specific weekly schedule:
Cut-off: Orders must be placed by Thursday 11:59 PM AEST.
Dispatch Day: Orders are processed over the weekend and dispatched on Tuesday.
Plant Health Certification (PHC) Fees:
$20 fee applies to WA orders.
$10 fee applies to NT and TAS orders. This fee is per order (not per plant) and is included in your shipping costat checkout.
Important Note: We operate independently from Collectors Corner. For any enquiries, please refer to our contact page
